Bangalore Youth Camp 2017 - Session 3
Summary
The sermon extensively interprets passages from Ezekiel 36 and Romans 6, focusing on the theme of God renewing the believer. The central message is that God removes the 'heart of stone'—representing sin and old ways of life—and replaces it with a new heart of flesh and a new spirit. This transformation is achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit and is a promise of restoration and life in God's land, which the speaker identifies as the church.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God's promise to restore IsraelReading from Ezekiel, the speaker highlights how God acts not for Israel's sake, but for His own holy name after the enemy rejoiced over their capture.Ezekiel 26:2
Bringing His people out and giving a new heartGod promises to bring His people out of enemy lands into the church, cleansing them and replacing their stony heart with a heart of flesh containing His Spirit.
The reality of the old self crucifiedPaul explains in Romans that our old self and the ruling power of sin—the stony heart described in Ezekiel—were crucified with Christ.
Laying aside the old selfWriting to the Ephesians, Paul urges believers to lay aside the old self, be renewed in their minds, and put on the new self.Ephesians 4:22–24
The measuring of the temple watersUsing the imagery of the stream from Ezekiel 47, the speaker describes God leading believers step-by-step through rising waters from the ankles up to swimming depth.
God gives the Spirit with and without measureWhile Jesus received the Spirit without measure, God measures and gives grace to us progressively according to our capacity and faithfulness.John 3:31
Testing at the ankle levelAt the ankle level—representing the newborn born-again stage—God tests faithfulness regarding specific struggles like lying, anger, stealing, and unwholesome words.
The time limit before sunsetBecause newborn believers frequently stumble in these basic areas, God graciously grants a time limit allowing them to settle the matter before sunset.
Dealing with sin immediatelyInstead of waiting until 6 PM to make things right, mature believers must immediately confess and reconcile the moment they slip into sin.
Acknowledging sin without excusesDrawing from the book 'The Beauty of Holiness,' the speaker emphasizes that believers must call sin a sin rather than dismissing it as a mere weakness.
Personal struggle with anger and mediaSharing personal testimony as a school mathematics teacher, the speaker recounts his struggles with a fiery temper, harsh treatment of students, and improper media consumption.
Finding strength when human strength is goneWhen human efforts to suppress anger completely fail, God steps in according to Deuteronomy to vindicate those whose strength is entirely gone.
Walking in the divine nature of the SpiritWhen God fills a believer with a fresh anointing and the Holy Spirit takes control, the Adamic nature of harshness is replaced by divine patience and love.
